Press Releases
Senator Duckworth Strongly Opposes Trump Budget Cuts Eliminating Critical Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the senior Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, spoke out in opposition to the Trump Administration's proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget at a Senate hearing yesterday, expressing concern that it would eliminate programs that are needed to protect and preserve the Great Lakes from toxic pollution and invasive species like Asian carp. The budget … Continue Reading
March 16, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Irresponsible Trump Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today in response to President Trump's first federal budget proposal: "The President broke more of his campaign promises today by releasing a budget that would weaken our nation, hurt the people of Illinois and reverse years of progress with its irresponsible cuts to countless vital programs. For anyone wondering who will pay for his ineffective border wall, the first Trump budget proposal makes it clear: … Continue Reading
March 15, 2017
Duckworth Statement on the Honorable Daniel Coats’ Confirmation Vote to be Director of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting against former U.S. Senator Daniel Coats' nomination to be Director of National Intelligence: "Not only is torture illegal under both federal and international law, it is also ineffective and undermines the ideals that make our nation great. Torture does not make our country safer, in fact it puts American Troops serving overseas at greater risk. It is not a tactic used by strong nations. … Continue Reading
March 15, 2017
Duckworth and Franken Re-Introduce Bill to Train Illinoisans for Open, High-Skill Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and AL Franken (D-MN) announced the reintroduction of their legislation to close the "skills gap," which makes it difficult for small businesses and other employers to find qualified candidates for unfilled jobs by supporting innovative partnerships between community colleges, technical colleges,and businesses to train students to fill high-demand jobs. TheCommunity College to Career Fund Act (CC2C) builds off of successful … Continue Reading
March 14, 2017
Duckworth, Senate Democrats Challenge President Trump to Support Paid Family & Medical Leave Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer, and U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) to unveil comprehensive paid family and medical leave legislation and challenge President Trump to support it since he has previously endorsed the concept of paid leave. The Senators' comprehensive proposal, the FAMILY Act, would provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for … Continue Reading
March 13, 2017
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Rescind Discriminatory Trump Travel Ban
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and 35 Democratic colleagues today in introducing a bill to rescind President Trump's discriminatory executive order barring immigrants from six Muslim-majority countries and suspending the U.S. refugee program. "Just like his last Muslim ban, this executive order plays into our enemy's hands by giving them a propaganda tool to spread a false narrative about the United … Continue Reading
March 10, 2017
Duckworth Meets with Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce Leadership
MOLINE, IL - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with leaders of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce including Chamber CEO Tara Barney today to discuss her vision for creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for hardworking families in communities across Illinois through investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and small business development. Duckworth also discussed her recent efforts to upgrade Illinois locks-and-dams to speed up barge traffic near Rock Island and along the … Continue Reading
March 10, 2017
Duckworth Touts National Security, Economic Impact at Rock Island Arsenal
MOLINE, IL - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited the Rock Island Arsenal today and met with its leadership headquartered there. During the Senator's meeting with Arsenal officials this morning, Duckworth discussed her efforts in Congress to support the Arsenal and its more than 6,000 employees whose work is vital to our national security. A photo of the meeting is available here. "It was great to meet with Lt. General Twitty and the leadership of the Arsenal and see how they produce … Continue Reading
March 09, 2017
Duckworth Responds to EPA Administrator Pruitt Questioning the Science of Climate Change
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt stated during an interview with CNBC that carbon dioxide is not a primary contributor to climate change, despite claiming in his confirmation hearing-which Duckworth participated in-that he did not question the science of climate change: "I'm alarmed at what appears to be another Trump Administration official misleading Congress … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Duckworth & Rock Island Army Corps of Engineers Discuss Improving Lock-and-Dam Systems
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with several representatives of the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers yesterday, including its Commander, Colonel Craig Baumgartner, to discuss the need to invest in our aging lock-and-dam systems. "Colonel Baumgartner and I had a great discussion about the need to create a stronger inland waterway system by upgrading our locks-and-dams along the Upper Mississippi River, many of which are outdated and unable to … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth Discusses Military’s Handling of Sexual Predators with Air Force Generals
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the United States Armed Forces' handling of sexually predatory behavior in its ranks with the commanders of the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPR) yesterday. During her meeting with Air Force Major General James Johnson and Air Force Major General Roosevelt Allen (photo available here), Duckworth also learned about the Air Force's efforts to address and prevent sexual assault in the service. "As the … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Duckworth Meets with Greater Chicago Food Depository, Highlights Need to Eliminate Hunger
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with representatives of the Greater Chicago Food Depository yesterday to discuss the importance of federal nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Duckworth has been a strong supporter of SNAP, which provides millions of children and families with critical support to curb domestic hunger. A photo of the meeting is available here. "The Greater Chicago Food Depository's work combines two issues … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Duckworth Commemorates “Day Without A Woman,” Celebrates International Women’s Day
WASHINGTON, DC - On International Women's Day, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recognized "A Day Without A Woman" by wearing red and continuing her work to advance all women's rights, including the rights of those who do not have the ability to take even a single day off of work-women who are mothers, those who can't afford missing a paycheck and those whose employers do not offer paid leave. In solidarity with the women and men participating in the events surrounding the "Day Without A … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Duckworth’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Illinois Jobs Unanimously Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Just 64 days after U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) was sworn in, the United States Senate unanimously passed the first bill she proposed in the chamber. Duckworth's new bipartisan bill would support Illinois jobs and protect infrastructure projects from needless bureaucratic delays by rolling back a misguided U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that enables the governors of Wisconsin and Indiana to delay or block infrastructure improvements around Chicagoland. To … Continue Reading
March 07, 2017
Duckworth Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met today with members of the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss the important role Illinois farmers play in both the state and national economy, as well the need for greater investments in agriculture and critical infrastructure. A photo of today's meeting is available here and b-roll of today's meeting is available upon request. "As a Black Hawk pilot in Iraq, I saw firsthand the painful price this nation pays because of our reliance on … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Duckworth Statement on the President’s Newest Discriminatory Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding the executive order signed by the President today restricting travel from six Muslim-majority countries: "Just like his last Muslim ban, this executive order plays into our enemy's hands by giving them a propaganda tool to spread a false narrative about the United States hating Muslims. This ban will not make our country safer and betrays the American values those of us who served in uniform fought … Continue Reading
March 03, 2017
Duckworth Named Ranking Member of Subcommittee Overseeing Safe Drinking Water Act Enforcement and Preventing Lead Contamination
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) has been tapped to serve as Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, which is tasked with ensuring clean water and helping prevent lead contamination of water systems. Duckworth also secured assignments on the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, which offer important platforms for her to advocate for Illinois's … Continue Reading
March 03, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Comments by Congressman Bost
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to comments Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL) made this week comparing town halls to "cleansing" by "orientals," U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Congressman Bost's remarks are offensive and hurtful to Asian Americans and Asians around the world. In addition to owing his constituents a sincere apology, he should put more thought into his words in the future. Racism has no place in American political … Continue Reading
March 03, 2017
Bipartisan Duckworth Bill Would Protect Transportation & Infrastructure Jobs in Illinois, Across America
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect Illinois jobs by making sure the state's Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can effectively plan and implement local transportation and infrastructure projects without undue interference from Washington. Duckworth's new legislation cuts red tape by rolling back a misguided U.S. Department of Transportation rule that wouldcreate a massive and complex bureaucratic planning process … Continue Reading
March 03, 2017
Duckworth Meets With Agriculture Secretary Nominee Sonny Perdue
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met yesterday with former Governor Sonny Perdue, the nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Following the meeting, Senator Duckworth released the following statement: "Governor Perdue and I had a substantive conversation on subjects ranging from the importance of Illinois agriculture to the strength of our nation to how we can help Veterans enter or return to farming so they can work the land they fought to … Continue Reading
